Northern Regional College celebrates Class of 2025 at Ballymena Graduation Ceremony

Veronica Jackson, Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience graduate and Northern Regional College staff member, pictured at the College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Northern Regional College has celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 at its Higher Education and Access Graduation Ceremony, held on Thursday 4 December at Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena.

The event brought together students, families, staff, governors, industry partners and invited guests for a day dedicated to recognising academic success and personal achievement.

Principal and Chief Executive Mel Higgins praised graduates for their determination and commitment, noting the milestone event marked both “recognition and celebration” of their efforts.

Joe Cassidy, Guest Speaker and Product Support Manager at Caterpillar Northern Ireland, pictured with the Graduation Platform Party at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

“We were delighted to welcome around 600 graduates and guests to celebrate the outstanding talent, determination and achievements of the Class of 2025. Each of our graduates set ambitious goals, stayed focused and achieved their qualification, supported every step of the way by family, friends and the wider College community.

“Graduation is not only the highlight of the College calendar, but also one of my personal highlights each year, as it offers the privilege of witnessing our learners step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.”

Reflecting on the College’s progress over the past year, Mel added:

“This past year has been one of real momentum for Northern Regional College, from opening our new £55 million Ballymena campus to continued growth in enrolments and strengthened industry partnerships. Our learners continue to inspire us with their determination, talent and ambition, and today is a celebration of everything they have achieved.”

Celebrating Student Achievement Across All Departments

Aodhan Traynor, City & Guilds ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management graduate, pictured with his family at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Graduates were recognised from a wide range of curriculum areas, including:

• Advanced Technologies

• Creative, Computing & Professional Industries

• Health, Sport & Care

• Access

• Animal Management

Staff achievements were also highlighted, with recognition for those who completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Further Education—an important marker of the College’s continuing investment in professional development and lifelong learning.

First Cohort of Green Technologies Graduates

Grant Corbett, Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business graduate, pictured with Sarah Rae and Angela Corbett.

The ceremony also marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the first cohort to complete the OCN Level 5 Diploma in Green Technologies. The programme reflects the College’s growing leadership role in sustainability education and the development of green skills across Northern Ireland.

Amber Murdock, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Logistics and Supply Chain graduate, pictured with Brian Beattie from McCullagh Ireland at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Mackenzie Lynch, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Engineering graduate, celebrates with his parents at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Conall McCloskey, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Construction Engineering with Surveying graduate, pictured with his mother Irene McCloskey at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Rónan Hampson, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Construction Engineering with Surveying graduate, pictured with his parents Martin and Glenda at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Ian Gillen, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering graduate, pictured with his wife and child at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Graham Vauls, Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Modern Methods of Construction graduate, pictured with his wife Catherine at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Chloe Kelly, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Construction Engineering with Surveying graduate, pictured with her parents Cathal and Audrey at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Sandra Stirling, Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business graduate, pictured with her son Gareth Workman at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Engineering graduates Joshua Robinson, John Andrews, Mackenzie Lynch and Lewis Wright — all completing the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Engineering — pictured together at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Elmer Dayag, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering graduate, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Kyle Davidson, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering graduate, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Aishling Conlan, Taylor McNeill and Michael Harkin — all Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business graduates — pictured together at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Robert Jamison, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Engineering graduate, pictured with his wife Maria, son Gerard, and parents Thomas and Margaret at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Michael Harkin, Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business graduate, pictured with Amy Craig at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Sophie Graham, Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts graduate, pictured with her mother Ruth at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Graduates Glenn Scott (ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management), Hannah Currie (HLA Level 5 in Engineering), Karen Lorimer (ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management), William Rock (ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management), Leanne Crawford (HLA in Logistics and Supply Chain) and Kyle Davidson (Ulster University Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering) pictured together at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Virginija Hughes, City & Guilds ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management graduate, pictured with her husband Philip and daughters Lorena and Mila at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Hannah Currie, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Level 5 in Engineering graduate, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Kelly Allen, PGCFE graduate, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

College staff, Mark Walker and Adam O’Boyle pictured with student Ciaran Woods who graduated with OCN NI Level 5 Award in Green Technologies, at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Louise Watson, Director of Further Education for Department for the Economy, Adam Kirkpatrick, Colin Kerr, Principal Mel Higgins and Curriculum Director Christine Brown pictured together celebrating WorldSkills achievements at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Kyle Walker, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Construction Engineering with Surveying graduate, pictured with Anne and Toni Walker, Chris Nutt and Lindsey Nutt at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

College Staff , Kathy McCabe, Kathy Sharpe, Patrick Wallace and John McClintoch — Masters graduates from the Hypatia at Ulster University programme — pictured together at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Dara Loughran, Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Logistics and Supply Chain graduate, pictured with family at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Kyle Davidson, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering graduate, pictured with his wife Joanne and daughter Rachel at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Course Director Niamh Cannon pictured with Supply Chain graduates Amber Murdock, Dara Loughran, Leanne Crawford and Louise Gault at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Lauryn Johnston, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care graduate, pictured with her parents Donna and Gary-Paul at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Natalie Jackson, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice graduate, pictured with her father George at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Rachel Malcolmson and Kelsey Crothers — both Level 4 Award in Leadership graduates — pictured together at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Cathryn McNally, Ulster University Access Diploma in Social Sciences graduate, pictured with Selena O’Hara, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Management) graduate, at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Narobika Chelenka, Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Social and Community Work graduate, pictured with family and friends at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Michelle Mccavana, Ulster University Access Diploma in Social Sciences graduate, pictured with her parents Kevin and Margaret at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Carol Fenning, Ulster University Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Studies graduate, pictured with her husband Reuben Fenning at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Naomi Erwin, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Management) graduate, pictured with Sharon McNally, also a Level 5 Diploma graduate, at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Ciarrai Foye, Ulster University Access Diploma in Social Sciences graduate, pictured with her family at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim and Grainne Samm, Deputy Director of Further Education at the Department for the Economy, pictured with the Graduation Platform Party at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Laura Fall, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Management) graduate, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Clare Sweeney, Ulster University Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice graduate, who delivered the Student Vote of Thanks, pictured at Northern Regional College’s Higher Education Graduation.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Northern Regional College extended its congratulations to the Class of 2025 and wished them success in their future careers and studies.

Applications are now open for higher education courses beginning in September 2026. Further information is available at the College’s website.